Vestas has received a firm and unconditional order for 190 MW of 4 MW platform turbines in the U.S. taking the global order intake for the company in 2017 to 10.6 GW, surpassing 2016’s record order intake of 10.5 GW. The surge of orders at the end of the year has resulted in the company revising its guidance for free cashflow upwards. It now expects the free cashflow for 2017 to be €1.15bn-€1.25bn, as compared with the previous guidance of €450m-€900m. Markets have reacted favourably with the company share price experiencing an increase of 5%.

The Nordex Group is benefiting increasingly from the renaissance of the Spanish wind power market: utility Gas Natural Fenosa Renovables (GNFR) has now ordered 58 AW132/3300 from the company in December. The contract covers the installation of six wind farms as well as multi-year services for the turbines. Construction of the first turbines will commence in the summer of 2018 and all the projects are located in regions of Spain where the Nordex Group has manufacturing facilities. In addition, the towers will be produced locally using the process developed by the company.

Vestas’ has just gained strength in a strategically significant market for the company. Its extensive experience from around 4 GW of turnkey projects across the globe has secured its largest project in India to date. The record order was placed by Ostro Kutch Power Private Limited and awarded through India’s first wind power auction held in February 2017. The 250 MW turnkey order follows another 100 MW turnkey project in India earlier this year, taking the total order intake in India to more than 480 MW in 2017. The project starts in the third quarter of 2018, and includes delivery, installation, commissioning and servicing of the 125 turbines.

With a stronger and more ambitious energy development plan, Thailand’s share of renewable energy in total final energy consumption could surpass its national target by a quarter and reach more than 37 percent by 2036, according to a new report published by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Ministry of Energy of Thailand. Renewable Energy Outlook: Thailand finds that decreasing imports of fossil fuels and increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix to 37 percent would improve energy security and reduce the cost of Thailand’s energy system by USD 1.2 billion annually by 2036.

Google has reached power purchasing agreements with Avangrid Renewables for 196 MW of wind power. The agreements cover two wind farms, producing enough energy each year to power 50,000 households. The additional capacity helps Google reach its goal of purchasing enough renewable energy to match its energy use in global operations. Gary Demasi, Google’s director of global infrastructure stated: “with solar and wind declining dramatically in cost and propelling significant employment growth, the transition to clean energy is driving unprecedented economic opportunity and doing so faster than we ever anticipated.”

The agreement is a strong, positive development for the company in the Indian market in the wake of its temporary slowdown. The agreement encompasses the entire infrastructure needed to operate the project together with the supply of 100 of its G114-2.0 wind turbines with a hub height of 106 meters, specifically designed for the low-wind sites typical of India. The project is expected to be commissioned by February 2019. Present in the market since 2009, Siemens Gamesa has installed over 5 GW in India and the company has been the leading OEM in India for the last three years.

Following the success of Vestas and Fortum Energy in Russia’s first wind energy auction, the two companies have entered into an agreement, engaging Vestas to supply its 4 MW platform for wind energy projects in Russia, the world’s fourth-largest electricity market. With this, the companies hope to lead the expansion of wind energy in Russia. They will work with local partners to establish a strong local manufacturing and supply chain capacity; and Vestas will also provide its considerable experience to build up and establish high standards for the relatively young Russian renewables sector.

Enel, acting through its renewable energy subsidiary Enel Rinnovabile has been awarded four wind projects for a total capacity of 593 MW Mexico’s third long-term public tender since its energy reform. The award follows Enel’s success in the two previous tenders, once again confirming its position as the largest renewable player in Mexico in terms of installed capacity and project portfolio. The Company has been awarded the contracts for 15-year energy supply and 20-year clean certificates. The Group will be investing around 700 million US dollars in the construction of the plants.

Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy has significantly enhanced its positioning in the Asia Pacific, having secured its largest-ever contract in Thailand; a market in which it is the leading OEM, responsible for more than 50% of the country’s total installed capacity. The company will supply a local developer 103 of its G126-2.5 MW turbines (260 MW) at the Hanuman wind complex, Chaiyaphum, northeast Thailand. The project also entails installing Asia’s highest wind turbines: with a tower height of 153 metres and blade length of 62 metres and total height of 215 metres.

With over £951bn in total assets management, Legal & General is one of the UK’s leading financial services groups and a major global investor. The company has announced that it has provided close to £300m of long-term acquisition debt in support of Danish pension funds, PKA and PFA consortium’s approx £2bn purchase of 50% of Walney Extension from Ørsted (the former Dong Energy). Walney Extension, which is currently under construction, will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm with a capacity of 660 megawatts (MW), providing enough power for over 590,000 homes. Charles-Henry Lecointe, Senior Investment Manager, LGIM Real Assets stated that the move was part of the company’s commitment of “investing in key UK infrastructure assets which will have a major impact on stimulating economic growth while ensuring long-term cash flow for pension funds.”

Enel Green Power North America has started construction of the Rattlesnake Creek wind farm in the United States. Once completed, Rattlesnake Creek will have a total installed capacity of 320 MW and will be Enel’s first wind farm in the state of Nebraska. “This project consolidates our growing presence in the US as our company enters into a new state and expands our business with new partners,” said Antonio Cammisecra, Head of Enel Green Power. “We are thrilled to be able to support Facebook’s growing renewable energy needs in Nebraska and be a part of driving economic development in the region.”